2 weeks in Europe or US/Canada?

[Freya]

Which would you do?

2 weeks Europe (up to 17 days or so) - a guided tour and stop over in London for a night.

2 weeks in the US/Canada (up to 17 days or so) - 2 nights LA doing Disneyland and the like, 2 nights in Vegas and a possible Rockies/Alaska cruise/train tour.

This is your one and only holiday until the kids have left home. Your only chance to leave the kids before they are old enough to want to come. Possibly the only time you'll have the money between now and when your in your 40's. Your looking at going between March-May 2012.

[Junglemum]

Europe for sure!

[lilima]

I would go csnada as you need way more time for Europe. I have done both and spent sbout 4 weeks in Canada/US and spent 8 in Europe.

[~Kim~]

Ummm....

well I've done both and they're both totally different holidays. Depends what sort of stuff you want to do more.

I'd probably lean towards Europe and then when the kids are old enough to help out with their fares do US.

[Junglemum]

I've done both too, lived in each for a year or so, and would definitely do Europe. I found it much more interesting and a bit more of a contrast i think. The USA is definitely different but I feel like we get so much exposure to the USA in TV and movies that I felt like it was much more familiar. The food is a million times better in Europe too!

Either would be good if you haven't been, but I don't plan on going back to the USA in a hurry. Parts of Europe on the other hand has many more places I'd like to go. obviously in two weeks you won't see everything but you could pick a country or two and have a blast.

Although you mention Alaska, I'd love to do a trip to Alaska...... or South America.

[Joeve]

Either!!! Throw a coin! Both sound amazing you lucky thing!

[Freya]

I've done both too, lived in each for a year or so, and would definitely do Europe. I found it much more interesting and a bit more of a contrast i think. The USA is definitely different but I feel like we get so much exposure to the USA in TV and movies that I felt like it was much more familiar. The food is a million times better in Europe too!

Either would be good if you haven't been, but I don't plan on going back to the USA in a hurry. Parts of Europe on the other hand has many more places I'd like to go. obviously in two weeks you won't see everything but you could pick a country or two and have a blast.

Although you mention Alaska, I'd love to do a trip to Alaska...... or South America.

See Ive always had a saying that its not a holiday if english is the native language lol Ive always felt that a holiday is going somewhere out of your comfort zone - new language, totally different culture. I think Europe would be amazing for Dh and I to go see together. He's never been overseas (apart from East Timor and Afghanistan but they are hardly holiday destinations!) and Ive been right round Italy and into Switzerland but want to see more. I think we should go while we can because god forbid anything should happen to me I think Id be upset I never did it like I wanted to. Ive been to the US too so for me its more of what my yearning is (Europe) but Dh doesnt have that. No reason we cant go back and see more in the future. Otherwise Dh's other suggestion was Scandinavia.

Money isnt really an option but the US is something I think Id like to do with the kids when they are teenagers.

Plus one of my dear children broke a very beloved souvenier from my trip to Italy when I was 16 and I would love to replace it lol

[Taurean]

We've done heaps of traveling and although I love Europe, I would definitely do the Rockies and a bit of the States instead. Vegas is amazing (it has to be seen to be believed!), LA is great for the usual touristy things. We loved both Disneyland and Universal Studios. The Grand Canyon is a must and if you had more time I'd highly recommend San Francisco and New York.

The Canadian Rockies are out of this world - stunning! It's the most amazing, breathtaking part of the world. And if you can afford the Rocky Mountaineer then I would say don't bother looking at anything else. You will not be disappointed. I'm very jealous!!

We went in late April and the weather was amazing but chilly. We skied at Sunshine (Banff) which was incredible but I think we would have preferred the scenery in late spring it summer more. Lake Louise was completely snowed in and the lake frozen solid. It was still stunning but we couldn't do any of the hiking we would have liked to have done.

Our only regret when we went to Canada was not going to Alaska and doing a wilderness cruise. Being so close we should have just done that too.

Good luck with the decision

[Junglemum]

Haha, I agree on the language thing. Sounds like somewhere in Europe is calling you!

[Freya]

Hmm we could do a Europe 14 day tour with Contiki, seems to be the best bang for your buck. Goes to France, Germany, Switz, Italy, Holland, Monaco, Austria. Then we could do a side trip to Egypt, for 9 days............................or do a side trip to Scotland/Ireland/England. Or fly to the states and do a quick stop over in New York. Or fly back through China.

This is going to be tough. Might have to just leave it to the travel agent, give them a maximum spend and time frame and let them go crazy!

[buliej]

Given the time of year you want to go, I'd say save Canada & Alaska for next time...you really want to go there in the middle of the US summer - they can be pretty cold and miserable even in June whereas Europe is great that time of year (in my opinion - not summer but should be pretty comfortable even if a bit cool). The LA/Disney/Vegas part would be fine, but those are not a "leave your kids behind" and do something super-special places - in fact, they are pretty great places to go with kids!

[Bloom]

Tough choice! I've done Europe twice (well parts of it!) and Canada once. Canada was lovely and friendly and relaxing. We didn't stress about language or signs or culture stuff. The scenery and outdoors are great.

But Europe is amazing too. If you decide to go Europe, I'd highly reccomend an author called Rick Steves - he writes guide books, which are kinda like lonely planet books, but heaps better! My DH planned an amazing 6 week trip based on his advice and tips. See if you can get them from a library and then photocopy parts to take with you. It's like having a guide tell you the history and little facts along the way. Personally, a contiki tour isn't for me. We've always done it on our own.